1. That bike has got to be the most horrible design ever. Nothing goes together. Look at it. I mean, *really* look at it. Nothing fits. Don't get me wrong, *elements* of it are very cool, but too much is going on in there.

2. It's a rip-off of our bike. Really. The guy used to work for us. If you look, you'll see our frame, and our drive-system. Our patented frame & drive-system, I might add...

Besides, that bike on the web, and in magazine ads, is the only one. They've not built any, it's only a prototype. Not that there's anything wrong with prototypes, Bone's seen one of ours... Which is now in full production. He says that he's got a *titanium* frame? What??? You *can't* bend titanium.. You can't *weld* titanium... At least not without a multi-million-dollar enclosed gas environment. It *is* an interesting bike. but it will never see the light of day... Remember- Patent Infringement.

Vampilot wrote:....He says that he's got a *titanium* frame? What??? You *can't* bend titanium.. You can't *weld* titanium... At least not without a multi-million-dollar enclosed gas environment. It *is* an interesting bike. but it will never see the light of day... Remember- Patent Infringement.

Most titanium welding today is done in the open fabrication shop, although chamber welding is still practiced on a limited basis. Field welding is common. Wherever the welding is done, a clean environment is necessary in which to weld titanium. A separate area, specifically set aside for the welding of titanium, aids in making quality welds. This area should be kept clean and should be isolated from dirt-producing operations such as grinding, torch cutting and painting. In addition, the welding area should be free of air drafts and humidity should be controlled.

So in other words....a purpose-built paint shed.

Just out of curiosity, what bike frame or drive system are they infringing? Why haven't you sued them?

heh!, sorry, Neph.. I've been doing other things of late (katrina) and haven't got back for awhile..

As far as patent-infringement.. http://www.confederate.comThe Hellcat is a patented frame/driveline system.. In simple terms, it applies to the relationship between the frame, location of the swingarm pivot, and the way the engine ties *into* the whole mess.. We were the first to bring the 240 series tire to an OEM, and the right side drive to make it work, but specificly, the clutch/outboard drive/ swingarm relationship is the key... If you're really interested, I can explain it in detail...
And as far as suing.... Yes, that has occured... hence no produced units.... He has banked on not being affected, due to his (and our) low-production #'s... (we only build about 150 of these a year)